Collapsible ring



C. T. MATHlEU COLLAPSIBLE RING Filed Sept. 5, 1939 Patented Apr. 16, 1940 UNHTED STATES COLLAPSIBLE RING Charles Theodore Mathieu, Outremont, Quebec, Canada Application September 5, 1939, Serial No. 293,349

6 Claims.

The present invention pertains to a novel collapsible ring, and the principal object is to provide a ring which can be folded into a compact mass so that it may conveniently be carried by the user thereof, as Well as easily packed and shipped in quantities.

The ring may have various uses, one of which is to support a bath tent as illustrated and del scribed herein. The invention, however, is not limited to this or analogous uses but may in fact be used wherever a metal ring or hoop is wanted.

The device consists essentially of four arcuate 15 sections held together by four couplings arranged in pairs, the members of either pair being opposite one another. One of the pairs is so arranged as to provide horizontal pivots for the arcuate sections attached thereto, and the other pair provides vertical pivots. In collapsing the ring, it is first folded in two or one of the pairs of couplings, whereupon the arcuate sections straighten out because of the nature of the couplings. The device may then be folded again at the remaining pair of couplings, with the result that it is actually folded into fourths, in which condition it can conveniently be carried, shipped or packed.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in open position; i

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the first folding operation;

35 Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the completion of the first folding operation;

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the second folding operation;

Figure 5 is a detail showing an edge of one of 40 the couplings with the twisted end of a ring section received therein, and

Figure 6 is an elevation illustrating one of the uses of the device.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figure 1 the device is illustrated as comprising four equal and arcuate sections 1 of 90 each arranged in a circle. The sections consist 50 of fiat spring steel and are so arranged that their edges are disposed at the ends of a short cylinder. The sections are joined by means of four identical couplings, one of which will be described.

Each coupling consists of a pair of disks 2 fastened together in coinciding relation by means of rivets 3 or similar devices. The latter are confined within one-half of the area of the disks, and the remaining halves are spread at 4 toform a space 5 for receiving the ends of adjoining sections I, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The couplings are arranged in pairs, each pair including alternate members or those which are opposite to one another. The members of each pair are parallel to each other, while the mem- 1 bers of diiferent pairs are perpendicular toeach other, for a purpose which will presently appear. For example one pair of opposed couplings may be vertical and the other pair horizontal, as shown in Figure 1.

As already stated, the ends of the sections l are received between the disks of the couplings. Since successive couplings are perpendicular to each other, and since the sections I are disposed to form a short cylinder one end of each section I must be twisted through 90 as at 6 for insertion in one of the couplings, while the other end is inserted directly in the other. coupling. The ends of the sections l are held in the respective couplings by pivot pins 7 passing transversely through the respective couplings. Thus, the pivotal axes of successive sections l are mutually perpendicular to each other, and this in fact is the purpose of mounting successive couplings in mutually perpendicular planes.

In collapsing the ring, it is first folded in half at one of the pairs of couplings, that is, at opposed couplings. In this operation,the intervening or other pair of couplings assume a position face to face and parallel with each other, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, and in planes perpendicular to that occupied in the expanded position. This shift of the intermediate couplings, together with the initial tension in the sections 1, causes the latter to straighten out, as shown in Fig. 3. In other words, the sections are normally straight and are forced into arcuate form onlywhen the device is expanded as in Fig. 1.

After taking the position shown in Fig. 3, the device is then readily folded again on its intermediate pivots to the position shown in Fig. 4, where it is substantially folded into fourths. For the purpose of illustration, Fig. 4 shows the device not completely folded, but it will be evident that the folding may be completed toa still more compact condition. I

One of the uses of the device is shown in Fig. 6 in connection with a steam bath. Many persons like to carry such an outfit wherever they go, and it is highly desirable that the device be collapsible. Accordingly, in conjunction with this 55 invention, the bath may consist of a cloth tent. 8 having at its upper end a suitable collar ring 9 adapted to fit on the neck of the user. The ring [6, according to the invention, is positioned horizontally at about shoulder height and may be suspended from the ring 9 or fastenedwithin the tent, in either of which positions it holds the tent distented. The vapor for the bath is pro-- duced by a suitable generator I I mounted anywhere within the tent or beneath the chair I 2.

This is merely an illustrative use of the invention which is applicable to all situations where a collapsible ring is useful.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it Willbe understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made Without departing from the scope of the invention, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is: I

1. A ring of the character described comprising four sections of spring metal, four couplings joining adjacent sections and holding the four sections in a circle, the sections being attached to successive couplings on mutually perpendicular pivotal axes and to opposite or alternate couplings on parallel axes.

2. A ring of the character described comprising four sections of spring metal, four couplings joining adjacent sections and holding the four sections in a circle, the sections being attached to successive couplings on mutually perpendicular pivotal axes and to opposite or alternate couplings on parallel axes, said sections being under initial tension to straighten out when swung on their pivotal axes out of said circle.

3. A ring of the character described comprising four sections of spring metal, four couplings joining adjacent sections and holding the four sections in a circle, the sections being attached to successive couplings on mutually perpendicular pivotal axes and to opposite or alternate couplings on parallel axes, each coupling consisting of a pair of disks fastened together and receiving the coupled ends therebetween.

4. A ring of the character described comprising four sections of spring metal, four couplings joining adjacent sections and holding the four sections in a circle, the sections being attached to successive couplings on mutually perpendicular pivotal axes and to opposite or alternate couplings on parallel axes, each coupling consisting of a pair of disks fastened together and receiving the coupled ends therebetween, successive couplings lying in mutually perpendicular planes.

5. A ring of the character described comprising four sections of spring metal, four couplings joining adjacent sections and holding the four sections in a circle, the sections being attached to successive couplings on mutually perpendicular pivotal aXes and to opposite or alternate couplings on parallel axes, said sections consisting of flat metal and forming a short cylinder.

6. A ring of the character described comprising four sections of spring metal, four couplings joining adjacent sections and holding the four sections in a circle, the sections being attached 

